A80608:1265
The bloody tenet, washed, and made white in the blood of the LambThe bloudy tenent, washed, and made white in the bloud of the Lambe
The bloody tenet, washed, and made white in the blood of the Lamb: being discussed and discharged of blood-guiltiness by just defence. Wherein the great questions of this present time are handled, viz. how far liberty of conscience ought to be given to those that truly fear God? And how far restrained to turbulent and pestilent persons, that not only raze the foundation of godliness, but disturb the civill peace where they live? Also how far the magistrate may proceed in the duties of the first table? And that all magistrates ought to study the word and will of God, that they may frame their government according to it. Discussed. As they are alleged from divers Scriptures, out of the Old and New Testament. Wherein also the practise of princes is debated, together with the judgement of ancient and late writers of most precious esteem. Whereunto is added a reply to Mr. Williams answer, to Mr. Cottons letter. / By John Cotton Bachelor in Divinity, and teacher of the church of Christ at Boston in New England.The bloudy tenent, washed, and made white in the bloud of the Lambe: being discussed and discharged of bloud-guiltinesse by just defence. Wherein the great questions of this present time are handled, viz. how farre liberty of conscience ought to be given to those that truly feare God? And how farre restrained to turbulent and pestilent persons, that not onely raze the foundation of godlinesse, but disturb the civill peace where they live? Also how farre the magistrate may proceed in the duties of the first table? And that all magistrates ought to study the word and will of God, that they may frame their government according to it. Discussed. As they are alledged from divers Scriptures, out of the Old and New Testament. Wherein also the practise of princes is debated, together with the judgement of ancient and late writers of most precious esteeme. Whereunto is added a reply to Mr. Williams answer, to Mr. Cottons letter. / By John Cotton Batchelor in Divinity, and teacher of the church of Christ at Boston in New England.
London: printed by Matthew Symmons for Hannah Allen, 1647
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It will do the Discusser no hurt to take notice, that he that is forward to take hold of any slip of Pen, or memory, is subject to the like slips himself. The number of the false Prophets, which he saith, were slain by Elijah exceedeth the Truth by half in half: the Text numbereth them 450. and he numbereth them 850. Again, it is a vain thing to inquire what this fact of Elijah should figure or Type out. Acts of Moral Justice, though they may sometimes be extraordinary: yet they are never accounted Typical, or Figurative: but by such as would transform all the Scripture into an Allegory.
It will doe the Discusser no hurt to take notice, that he that is forward to take hold of any slip of Pen, or memory, is subject to the like slips himself. The number of the false Prophets, which he saith, were slayne by Elijah exceedeth the Truth by halfe in halfe: the Text numbreth them 450. and he numbreth them 850. Againe, it is a vaine thing to inquire what this fact of Elijah should figure or Type out. Acts of Morall Justice, though they may sometimes be extraordinary: yet they are never accounted Typicall, or Figurative: but by such as would transforme all the Scripture into an Allegory.
Besides, why should he call the fact Miraculous? Is it a miracle for Elijah with the aide of so many thousand people of Israel •o put to death 450. men, whose spirits were discouraged being convinced of their forgery and Idolatry?
Moreover, Though Christ gave no such Commission to Ministers of the Gospel to put false Prophets to death, as Elijah did: yet the same Answer holdeth here which was given to the fact of Phinehas: though the hand which executed Justice was extraordinary: yet the act of Justice, was an ordinary duty of Moral Righteousness, belonging to such as bear the Sword.